Lubricating-strip for leaf-springs



T. S: HAMILTON.

LUBRICATING STRIP FOR LEAF SPRINGS.

APPLICATION FILED DEC-4.1919.

1,371,165, Patented Mar. 8, 1921.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

LUBRICATING-STRIP FOR LEAF-SPRINGS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 8, 1921.

Application filed December 4, 1919. Serial No. 342,309.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, THOMAS S. HAMILTON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Kansas City, in the county of Jackson, and State of Missouri, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Lubricating- Strips for Leaf-Springs, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in lubricating strips for leaf springs.

An important object of the invention is to provide an improvement on the strip shown and described in-my Patent No. 1,323,846,

' dated December 2, 1919.

" or thicknesses of the lubricating agent.

7 thereof.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved process whereby the strip is formed.

A still further object is to provide a lubricating strip comprising a sheet of thin hard material provided upon one face with a plurality of depressions wherein is deposited a suitable lubricating agent and coating the strip with a further thicknpsss y this system when the thickness of lubricating agent superposed upon the strip has been worn away sufiicient lubrication is supplied by proper lubrication of' the spring leaf from the lubricant residing in the recesses formed in the strip.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent throughout the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown a preferred embodiment of my invention and wherein like numerals designate like parts throughout,

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a leaf spring having interposed between the ends of the leaves a strip formed according to my-invention.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of a portion of a strip formed in accordance with my invention, portions of the superposed layers of lubricating material belng broken away'to show the various thicknesses thereof, and p Fig. 3 is an enlarged section taken through my lubricating strip.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings the numeral 10 indicates the spring as a whole and the numeral 11, the leaves The strip comprises a body member 12 having provided upon one face thereof a homogeneous mass of tough rubbery composition formed by combining a dry lubri- I cant and a suitable binder in proportions more particularly hereinafter set forth.

The strip 12 may be formed of any suitable material having a low coefiicient of compress b lity. By a low coeflicient of compress1b1l1tyis meant that the material formmg the strip which receives the lubricating compound should be a homogeneous mass which will not present spaces through which the lubricant may pass. It is also desirable but not necessary that the strip be capable of acquiring a high polish and be formed of some material which does not readily coat and groove and which when so coated and grooved does not present ragged coating edges. Among materials which possess the above named qualities are-fiber, vulcanized fiber, bakelite, redmanol and numerous other nitro-cellulose and acido-cellulose compounds. This strip is made of any desirable thickness, that which has been found most practical in application being between .0015 and .0020 of an inch in thickness. In the process of manufacture the strip has formed in one side thereof a plurality of closely arranged depressions 15 having a depth of approximately one-third of the thickness of the strip.

To the surface bearing these depressions is applied a coating 16 of hard lubricant formed by combining powdered graphite or any other suitable dry lubricant and a quick drying adhesive binder in about the proportions of 15 per cent. of the dry lubricant and 85 per cent binder. This coating is flowed into the recesses formed in the strip as at 17 and allowed to form a thin coating upon the face of the strip bearing the recesses. This coating of lubricant is then dried and a second coating 18 applied to its upper face. This coating contains a slightly higher percentage, in the mixture of, the dry lubricant, as for example 20 per cent. dry lubricant and 80 per cent. binder. This coating is then allowed to dry and a third coat 19 applied to its upper surface containing a higher percentage of dry lubricant than the second coat, as for example 25 per cent. dry lubricant and 75 per cent. binder. To the upper face of the third coat after it has sufficiently driedis applied a fourth coat 20 which contains' astill higher percentage of dry lubricant, as for example-40 er cent. dry lubricant and per cent. inder.. When the 4th coat has dried a fifth or finishing coat 21 is applied to the upper surface thereof which contains a very small ercentage of the dry lubricant as for examp e 10 per cent. dry lubricant and 90 per cent. binder. As soon as the fifth coat is applied flake graphite or 'any suitable dry lubricant in flake form is sifted upon the upper surface thereof as at 22.

The application of the flake graphite to the upper surface of the finishing coat before it has dried causes the moisture of the binder to be sealed in by the graphite. This moisture accordingly permeates the remaining layers which have been previously applied causing them to assume a rubber like consistency when bent and to adhere to one another in such a manner as to be entirely inseparable. The upper surface of the strip when finished is in appearance somewhat like lead, and scrapes 1n a manner similar to this metal. If, however, pressure is placed upon an object and it is moved across the strip the flake graphite upon the upper surface immediately polishes and burnishes.

, Furthermore the flake graphite quickly coats the surface of. the spring leaf with which it is in contact and accordingly the actual effect after a short eriod of use is that of two graphite coate surfaces working upon one another.

Should there be any minor roughnesses in the face of the article contacting the strip these roughnesses soon seat themselves in the lubricating agent giving a thorough contact throughout, and the strip will therefore when placed between the leaves of the spring allow the spring leaves to seat themselves perfectly. This feature is a decided advantage in that in rainy weather grit carried by the water splashed by the wheels cannot enter between the leaves of the spring and'the strip to embed 'itself in the lubricating agent and form an carrying drying lubricant a coating of adhesive material. This adhesive contacts one leaf of the spring and adheres thereto and the lubricant bearing face of the strip contacts the next adjacent leaf.

The above composition is water and oil proof and is not affected by gasolene or kerosene. It will therefore be apparent that the strip is not deteriorated by any of the substanceswhich would ordinarily come in; contact therewith.

As many minor changes are 'ossible in the construction of the strip erein described, and in the process by which the strip is formed I do not limit myself to the specific article herein set forth, nor to the specific process by which the article is formed but may make any such changes, without departing from the spirit of the invention, or the scope of the subjoined claims.

What I claim is: a

1. A lubricating strip for leaf springs com rising a strip of material having a low co-e cient of compressibility, said strip having recesses formed in one side thereof extending partially through the strip, and a layer of dry lubricant disposed upon the surface of the side having the recesses formed therein and, entering said recesses;

2. A lubricating strip for leaf springs comprising a stripof material having recesses formed in one side thereof, and a layer 0f dry lubricant disposed upon the surface of the side having the recesses formed therein and entering said recesses, said layer-of lubricant comprising a plurality of layers of dry lubricant bearing compound bonded together to form a homogeneous mass.

most of said layers of dry lubricant.

-4.-. A lubricating strip for leaf springs comprising a strip of material of a low coefiicient of compressibility having a fibrous base and having recesses formed in one side thereof, and a, layer ofdry lubricant disposed upon the surface of the side having the recesses formed therein and entering said recesses.

5. A lubricating strip for leaf springs comprising a strip of material having recesses formed in one-side thereof having a depth of a proximately one-third of the thickness of the material, and a layer of dry lubricant dis osed upon the surface of the side having 't e recesses formed therein and entering said recesses.

' 6. A lubricating strip for leaf springs com rising at strip of material havin a low coe cient of compressibility and. aving, recesses formed in one side thereof having a depth of ap roximately one-third of the thickness of t e material, and a layer of dry lubricant disposed upon the surface of the side having the recesses formed therein and entering said recesses.

7. A lubricating strip for leaf springs comprising a strip of impermeable material having a fibrous base and having recesses formed in one side thereof, a layer of dry lubricant disposed upon the surface of the side having the recesses formed therein and entering said recesses and a layer of dry lubricant in flake form disposed upon the upper surface of said layer of dry lubricant.

8. A lubricating strip for leaf springs comprising'a strip of material having recesses formed in one side thereof having a depth of approximately one-third of the thickness of the material, a layer of dry lubricant disposed upon the surface of the side having the recesses formed therein and entering said recesses, and a layer of dry lubricant in flake form disposed upon the upper surface of said layer of dry lubricant.

9. A lubricating strip for leaf springs comprising a strip of material having a fibrous base, having recesses formed in one side thereof and having a depth of approximately one-third of the thickness of the material, a layer of dry lubricant disposed upon the surface of the side having the recesses formed therein and entering said recesses, and a layer of dry lubricant in flake form disposed upon the upper surface of said layer of dry lubricant.

10. The herein described method of forming a lubricating strip for leaf springs consisting in supplying a strip having a low coefficient of compressibility, applying to one side thereof a plurality of layers of a composition containing a dry lubricant, and bonding said layers together.

11. The herein described method of forming a lubricating strip for leaf springs consisting in supplying a strip having a low coefficient of compressibility, applying to one side thereof a plurality'of layers of a composition bearing a dry lubricant, and a binding layer wherein the dry lubricant is present in a smaller quantity than in said first named layers.

12. The herein described method of forming a lubricating strip for leaf springs having a low co-efiicient of compressibility, consisting in supplying a strip provided in one side thereof with spaced recesses, and applying to the recess bearing side thereof a layer of dry lubricant.

13. The herein described method of forming a lubricating strip for leaf springs, consisting in supplying a strip provided in one side thereof-with spaced recesses, applying to the recess bearing side thereof a plurality of layers of a composition containing a dry lubricant and bonding said layers together.

14. The herein described method of forming a lubricating strip for leaf springs, consisting in supplying a strip provided in one side thereof with spaced recesses, applying to the recess bearing side thereof a plurality of layers of a composition bearing a dry lubricant and a binding layer wherein the dry lubricant is present in a smaller quantity than ,in said first named layers.

15. The herein described method of forming a lubricating strip for leaf springs, consisting in supplying a strip and applying to one side thereof a plurality oflayers of a composition containing a dry lubricant and an adhesive binder, allowing each layer to dry before the succeeding layer is applied thereto.

16. The herein described method of forming a lubricating strip for leaf springs, consisting in supplying a strip and applying to one side thereof a plurality of layers of a composition containing a dry lubricant and an adhesive binder, allowing each layer to dry before the succeeding layer is applied thereto, the dry lubricant being present in a small quantity in the first of said layers, each succeeding layer containing a higher percentage of the dry lubricant than the layer preceeding it.

17. The herein described method of forming a lubricating strip for leaf springs, consisting in supplying a strip, applying to one side thereof a plurality of layers of a composition containing a dry lubricant and an adhesive binder, allowing each layer to dry before the succeeding layer is applied thereto, and applying a finishing layer adapted to permeate the preceding layers and form a homogeneous mass.

18. The herein described method of forming a lubricating strip for leaf springs, consisting in supplying a strip, applying to one side thereof a plurality of layers of a composition containing a dry lubricant and an adhesive binder, allowing each layer to dry before the succeeding layer is applied thereto, the dry lubricant being present in a small quantity in the first of said layers, each succeeding layer containing a higher percentage of the dry lubricant than the layer preceding it, and applying a finishing coat adapted topremeate the preceeding la ers and form a homogeneous mass.

19. he herein described method of forming a lubricant strip for leaf springs, consisting in supplying a strip, applying to one side thereof a plurality of layers of a composition containing a dry lubricant and an adhesive binder, allowing each layer to dry before the succeeding layer is applied thereto, applying a finishing coat adapted to permeate the preceding layers and form a homogeneous mass and applying a coat of dry lubricant in flake form whereby the moisture in said finishing coat is sealed in to assist in the permeation of said preceding layers.

20. A lubricating strip for leaf springs comprising a strip of material having recesses formed in one side thereof, a layer of dry lubricant disposed upon the surface of the side having the recesses formed therein and entering said recesses, and an adhesive disposed upon the surface of the other side of the strip.

21. A lubricating strip for leaf springs comprising a strip of material having recesses formed in one side thereof, a layer of dry lubricant disposed upon the surface of the side having the recesses formed therein and entering said recesses, said layer of lubricant comprising a plurality of layers of dry lubricant bearing compound bonded together to form a homogeneous mass, and an adhesive disposed upon the surface of the other side of the strip.

22. A lubricating strip for leaf springs comprising a strip of material havin a fibrous base and having recesses forme in one side thereof, a layer of dry lubricant disposed upon the surface of the side having the recesses formed therein and entering said recesses, and an adhesive disposed upon the surface of the other side ofthe strip.

23. A lubricating strip for leaf springs comprising a strip of material having a fibrous base and having recesses formed in one side thereof, a layer of dry lubricant disposed upon the surface of the side having the recesses formed therein and-entering said recesses, a layer of dry lubricant in flaked form disposed upon the upper surface of said layer of dry lubricant, and an adhesive disposed upon the surface of the other side of the strip.

24. The herein described method of forming a lubricating strip for leaf springs consisting in supplying a strip, applying to one side a plurality of layers of a composition containing a dry lubricant, bonding said layers together, and applying to the other side of the strip a layer of adhesive.

25. The herein described method of forming a lubricating strip for leaf springs, consisting in supplying a strip provided in one side thereof with spaced recesses, applylng to the recess bearin side thereof a layer of dry lubricant, an applyingto the other side of the strip a layer of adhesive;

26. The herein described method of forming a lubricating strip for leaf springs, con-- sisting in supplying a strip and applying to one side thereof a plurality of la ers of a composition containing a dry lubricant and an adhesive binder, allowing each layer to dry before the succeeding layer is applied comprising a strip of material havingf recesses formed in one side thereof, a yer of dry lubricant disposed upon the surface of the side having the recesses formed therein and entering said recesses and securing means arranged on thesurface of the other side of the strip.

28. A lubricating strip for leaf springs comprising a strip of material havin recesses formed in one side thereof, a layer of dry lubricant disposed upon the surface of the side having the recesses formed therein and entering said recesses, said layer of lubricant comprising a plurality of layers of dry lubricant bearing compound bonded together to form a homogenous mass and securing means arranged upon the surface of the other side of the strip.

29. A lubricating strip for leaf springs comprising a strip of material having a fibrous base and having recesses formed in one side thereof, a layer of dry lubricant disposed upon the surface of the side having the recesses formed therein and entering said recesses, and securing means arranged upon the surface of the other side of the strip.

80. A lubricating strip for leaf springs comprising a strip of material havin a fibrous base and having recesws forme in one side thereof, a layer of dry lubricant disposed upon the surface of the side having the recesses formed therein and entering said recesses, a layer of dry lubricant in flaked form disposed upon the upper surface of said layer of dry lubricant and securing means arranged upon the surface of the other side of the strip.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

THOMAS S. HAMILTON. 

